Welcome to beautiful Barbados! Yes, it is
the destination of land, sea and sunshine,
but there’s much more to enjoy in
Barbados!
The sporting activities on this island are
astounding, and in our niche publication
Sporting Barbados we hope you can share
the experience. There is so much
happening in and around Barbados so it
takes some time to appreciate what is on
offer. Of course, everyone has different
taste buds so let’s see a flavour of what is
included in our new edition.
Motorsport has overtaken King Cricket as
the premier sport. There are plenty of
activities throughout the year, but the Sol
Barbados Rally is something special. Huge
numbers attend and foreign visitors love
the competition. It is the envy of local
organizations, but they have worked hard
to attain the pinnacle. Plans at the Sol Rally
start immediately after each event! That’s
impressive.
20 years ago it was difficult to market

Barbados as a golfing destination.
However, we now have a wide range of
courses to compete with some of the best
golf in the Caribbean. Golfers can tailor to
suit their requirements. It can be tough or
leisurely, and it can be expensive or low
budget, because the courses offer great
options. We have Sandy Lane (three
courses), Barbados Golf Club, Royal West
Moreland, Apes Hill Club, and the popular
little Rockley Club with the biggest social
buzz. Open events include the Sir Garfield
Sobers Golf Tournament, the Sandy Lane
Charity Trust Golf Tournament and The
Sagicor Barbados Open and Rockley
Tournaments.
The Sandy Lane Cup Festival lasts more
than a week with the Broadway Musical
Shows, parade, and polo matches, but
Saturday afternoon in the first week of
March is the big race, and its broadcast
through international TV channels globally.
The race season has three stages, and the
Massy United Derby in August is another
popular event.
Crowds flock to Polo matches in the first
half of the year. Celebs on and off the field
frequently attend and there is a big social
buzz in the clubhouses. Prince Harry once
played at Apes Hill, and a lot longer ago,
Prince Charles once played at Holder’s Hill,
the centre of the Barbados Polo Club.
Watersports run every year. Sailing is
centred at the Yacht Club at Carlisle Bay,
and the surfer’s flock to the Soup Bowl at
Bathsheba. Brian ‘Irie Man’ Talma is known
all over the world at Silver Sands with his
particular brand of ‘beach culture.’
This iconic Ambassador of Barbados has
spent his life competing on the world
stage in Windsurfing. His Barbados Beach
Culture Festival attracts some of the
biggest names worldwide. It features
Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, SUPing and
Surfing.
As ‘Irie Man’ would say, “Action!”
Last year we featured the Finn World
Masters World Championship. The Mount
Gay Rum Regatta around the island series
has a huge gathering with the sailing

fraternity.
Zary and Kristina Evelyn have rejuvenated
sports management across several
activities. The Ocean Festival is packed
with events including the ‘Swim the Bay’
across Carlisle Bay. Popularity has
increased with participants from all over
the world and the same could be said for
their promotion of the Run Barbados
Series pre-Christmas.
Sadly, King Cricket has changed. The
palate of local cricket goers prefer shorter
matches and T20 and 50 Overs ODI cricket
reigns supreme. That’s when the big buzz
happens at Kensington Oval these days.
Test cricket remains the domain of the
connoisseur, and tickets are unlikely to
pose a challenge in the foreseeable future
as CPL cricket grows.
Let’s add rugby, hockey, equestrian,
tennis, squash, badminton, athletics, mind
games, et al and you can understand why
there’s so much more in Barbados. And
then add the leisure recreational activitiesisland boat tours, land rover safaris, visiting
spectacular caves, see the Concorde,
tunnels under the Garrison Savannah, and
of course, shopping , eating or simply
relaxing on the beach.
We could not produce this publication
without the help of our many sponsors.
Special thanks to the Barbados Tourism
Marketing Inc, the Tourism Development
Corporation, Minister Sealy and Minister
Lashley for their Forewords, and to our
many advertisers, contributors and
wonderful photographers, especially Peter
Marshall.
Thank you all for your vision and loyalty.
A final thank you to an exceptional
designer Neil Barnard. He has been with
us 21 years and his creative design and
technical knowledge never ceases to
amaze us.
Welcome to Sporting Barbados 2018!

Foreword by the Honourable
Richard Sealy, M.P
Minister of Tourism and
International Transport
Congratulations to the Management Team
of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sporting Barbadosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the 21st year of
the publication of this iconic magazine,
which has over the years provided a wealth
of information on sporting events and
leisure activities hosted on this beautiful
island. The significant work of sports
sometimes is not fully recognized by many
persons and I especially commend the
editors, Pamela and Clarence Hiles for
creating a unique sports tourism
publication where sports play a dominant
role.
The Government of Barbados is however
cognizant of the synergies between sports
and the tourism product and we are proud
to say that the value of sports has been
well articulated, especially when our
sportsmen compete successfully and place
Barbados on the international sporting
market. Sports tourism is certainly a
business which generates significant
income and the exposure gained from
hosting international events creates the
opportunity for Barbados to achieve
recognition as a sports holiday destination.
My Ministry, through the Barbados
Tourism Marketing Inc, has developed a
marketing strategy to support sports
tourism and I assure you that we will
continue to work assiduously to develop
initiatives and to promote Barbados as a
destination of choice for hosting world
class sporting events.
To this end, Barbados successfully hosted
new and exciting sporting opportunities
and activities in 2017, namely, OK Dinghy
World Championships and the Finn World
Master Championships; Golden Oldies
World Cricket Festival; Barbados Beach
Wellness Festival; Barbados Festival of
Cycling; Dragon World Championship
2017 and the Barbados Beach Tennis
Open.
It is therefore anticipated that in 2018,
the sports offerings will be greater with
Barbados being selected as the venue for
some tournaments, such as:
12 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Mount Gay Round Barbados
Beach Waterpolo Masters Tournament
Barbados International Football
Tournament
Sir Garfield Sobers International Cricket
Tournament
Sol Rally Barbados
Run Barbados Marathon Weekend
Particular emphasis will be placed on the
Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools
Cricket Tournament 2017, as it celebrates
its 30th Anniversary which is a significant
milestone. This event is expected to
attract over 15 overseas entries namely
from United Kingdom, Trinidad and
Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines,
Guyana, Dominica and Antigua. This I can
assure you would be one of the main
sporting activities for cricket enthusiasts.
On behalf of the Government of
Barbados, I extend congratulations to the
Sir Garfield Sobers International School
Cricket Management and Team on this
accomplishment.
As we continue to promote sports
tourism, it is important that our facilities
are equipped to accommodate the
plethora of events, which will be taking
place on our shores. Recently, the
Government of Barbados with the
assistance of the Government of China,
have renovated the Garfield Sobers
Gymnasium, to a state of the art facility,
which will be the home for many sporting,
cultural and other activities for both locals
and visitors to enjoy.
Congratulations once again to Sporting
Barbados on another successful
publication, and I wish you continued
success for 2018.
Richard L Sealy, M.P

Sporting Barbados continues to be an
excellent magazine, creatively revealing
Barbados’ sports offerings and the
associated excitement to the world. In so
doing, this publication has become a
repository of information for the
international sports community and a fillip
to the development of Barbados’ Sports
Tourism Product. It is therefore with
pleasure that I congratulate the Principals
of Hiltop Publications on presenting their
2018 Edition of the Sporting Barbados
Magazine.
Over the past year, Barbados continued
to demonstrate its diversity as a
destination for sports tourism and this was
reflected in the Sporting Barbados
Magazine. In catering to the international
sports enthusiasts and fun seekers,
Barbados hosted a number of international
competitions, meetings and conferences in
various sporting disciplines. These
included beach and aquatic events that
ranged from the Barbados International
Fishing Championship and the OK Class
Dinghy Sailing Championship to the
Barbados Open Water Swimming Festival,
the Barbados Beach Wellness Festival and
the Barbados Beach Tennis Open.
The diversity of Barbados’ sports
offering also extended to the annual
14 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

hosting of the crème a la crème of the
world amateur surfers at the “Soup Bowl”
in Bathsheba and for the Pro-Surf Festival,
as well to the Run Barbados Marathon
series and the increasingly popular
indigenous game of road tennis. The
range of offering also included
championships in Rugby 7s, Bodybuilding,
hockey, football, polo, bridge, dominoes
and the newly introduced Barbados Ninja
Throwdown.
Of course the motor sports community
was treated to the annually hosted Sol
Rally Barbados and FLOW King of the Hill
event, while the horse-racing family
enjoyed the prestigious Sandy Lane Gold
Cup and many other exciting race days at
the historic Garrison Savannah. In the area
of cricket, Barbados was again a hive of
excitement with the hosting of the
England/West Indies ODI, the Golden
Oldies World Cricket Festival and other
International Cricket Tournaments,
including the legendary Sir Garfield
Sobers’ International Schools Cricket
Tournament.
The hosting of these international events
is a key component of Barbados’ sports
tourism effort, which redounded to
increased tourists arrivals and an essential
contribution to the economy in keeping
with the strategic thrust of the Government
of Barbados. Beyond the direct economic
activity attributed to accommodation,
transportation, catering, vending
opportunities and the employment of
persons, the hosting of sports events in
Barbados has had a ripple effect on the
economy that extends to the
manufacturing, agricultural and other
sectors. Moreover, the associated branding
and media rights can redound to long term
benefits for local businesses.
The attainment of these successes is
influenced by the media through which the
events are promoted locally, regionally and
internationally, with one such medium
being the Sporting Barbados Magazine.
Beyond the effective advertising of the

sports events in Barbados, Sporting
Barbados has been instrumental in
highlighting the Barbadian sports facilities
in the global arena. Among these facilities
are our pristine beaches, the infamous
Kensington Oval – mecca of cricket in the
Caribbean, the historic Garrison Savannah
– home of horse racing, the islands six golf
courses and the Wildey Sport Complex,
which boasts a new hockey Astroturf, a
football Astroturf, eight lawn-tennis courts,
an Aquatic Centre with an Olympic size
pool and the recently modernised Garfield
Sobers Gymnasium - a fully air-conditioned
indoor multi-purpose sport facility. In this
regard, the consistent efforts of the
Sporting Barbados Magazine must be
applauded.
I also take this opportunity to
congratulate Sporting Barbados on the
recent launch of their monthly publication
of the Digital Sporting Barbados Island
News Update, an excellent initiative
through which the world will be apprised
of current sports attractions in Barbados.
As the Government of Barbados seeks
to solidify the island’s position as a
paradise and all-year destination for
sports, we look forward to the unwavering
support of the Sporting Barbados
Magazine with respect to developing
Barbados’ sports tourism profile. Once
again, congratulations to the Principals of
Hiltop Publications and the best of
successes during the year 2018 and
beyond.

SPORTING
BARBADOS
Goes Monthly!
Thanks to the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC)
Sporting Barbados went monthly with it’s digital Island
Updates Newsletter.
The idea was the brainchild of 809 Design Associates who
handle the design and social media side of the brand.
Martin Ince of the TDC wanted to support an initiative that
highlighted sporting tourism events well in advance digitally
so that visitors would have the opportunity to come,
participate or spectate.
It’s been a complete success as the Newsletter is
distributed to a growing database by email and on the
popular Sporting Barbados Facebook page. It also directs
traffic to www.sportingbarbados.com and the digital copy of
the publication. A win win situation for all supporters and
advertisers.

Sign up for it on
our Facebook page
And be kept
informed on all
that’s happening
on this paradise
island well
in advance.

This holiday is your choice.
If you are in a beachfront
all inclusive hotel –
pampered to the hilt – you
may choose to just lie and
indulge all day with a good
book.

32 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

J

ust a dot in the Atlantic Ocean,
this small island packs big
punches. A Barbadian, I spent a
lot of my time in Canada, Spain,
and the UK. On returning to
Barbados just over 20 years
ago, the first thing that struck
me was how MUCH there was to do on a
little island of 166 square miles. We literally
have it all, just on a smaller scale!
You can be out every night of the week
on this island at a different event or
restaurant. From simple quiz nights to
elaborate polo events, this island has it
covered. Boredom is not an option.
This holiday is your choice. If you are in a
beachfront all inclusive hotel – pampered to
the hilt – you may choose to just lie and
indulge all day with a good book. Life is
busy back where you come from as we say
here so this is your time to relax. You have
to be warned though and it’s my duty as a
Barbadian to do just that, you would be
missing out!
With all our lovely beaches, it’s a shame

not to see more than one! Water – we are
surrounded by it. To not experience
swimming with the turtles on the lively
Tiami cruises or a personalized sunset cruise
on the stunning Cat and the Fiddle with five
star luxury and uncompromised service
would be criminal.
To miss out on visiting Earthworks pottery
in the hills of St Thomas – seeing Dave
Speiler the master potter at work and
feasting your eyes on their many creations
would be a terrible shame. And if you come
via the Warrens roundabout, you simply
have to stop just by the CIBC FCIB bank
Head quarters and take a look at the
magnificent wall decorated by Dave and his
colleagues. It’s made from Earthworks
material and depicts environmental issues.
Inspirational!
You must take an island tour, whether in
air-conditioned comfort with Suntours or in
adventurous open land rovers with Island
safari to experience the diverse nature of
Barbados. This island has two very different
sides to it and neither of them should be

B A R B A D O S

Carlisle Bay

Cattlewash

Accra beach

34 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Bottom Bay

South coast boardwalk

3T
AR
F
I
S
H
BY
"EL
L
E
ยกT
OI
L
E
ย
BEL
L
EET
OI
L
EJ
EWEL
R
Y
COM

B A R B A D O S

The Careenage

Cave Shepherd, Broad Street

The Parliament building

To not take a trip into
historic Bridgetown,
passing the Unesco World
Heritage Site of the
Garrison – well – what
can I say? Speechless!

36 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

missed.
To not take a trip into historic
Bridgetown, passing the Unesco World
Heritage Site of the Garrison – well – what
can I say? Speechless! The hustle and
bustle of this port with it’s lovely parliament
buildings, extremely interesting parliament
museum, statue of Lord Nelson (reputedly
older than the one in Trafalgar Square
London) exquisite shopping in Diamonds
International, Colombian Emeralds
International, Royal Shop, Cave Shepherd,
Best of Barbados and more – all duty free!!!
When you are tired, pop into the Waterfront
Café, have a cocktail or beer and watch the
yachts softly float on the swells in the
careenage.
You’re on holiday you say? Don’t want too

much exertion you say? As I said, you would
be missing out…
Perhaps you’re a night owl? Well, we
have got you there as well. The world
famous Harbour Lights Nightclub beckons.
If you have the family and would just like to
do a cultural show, then the Beach Show
and Barbeque is for you, however, if you’re
between the ages of 18 and … the heaving,
pulsating and completely additive party
nights are your thing. I met my husband
there. Nuff said (as we say in Bajan!)
And if you want to try out the
restaurants? You are in for a total treat.
From the more affordable Chefette and
Bert’s Bar to the seriously fine dining
experience of Daphne’s, Champers, Tapas,
Camelot and many more, Barbados is

Sports is your thing? Well
you have picked up the
right magazine, as we are
full to the brim of all the
major sporting activities
you can take part in or
watch from a distance.

40 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

foodie heaven. Every pocket is catered for –
every taste bud. You can visit a local rum
shop in the country for fried pork chops and
peas and rice or you can eat Sushi and drink
Processo while watching the sunset. We
have it all.
Sports is your thing? Well you have
picked up the right magazine, as we are full
to the brim of all the major sporting
activities you can take part in or watch from
a distance. You can take it all in here from
diving and watersports to horse racing at
the Garrison and car racing at Bushy Park.
And if you’re really keen – you can even run
a marathon or swim Carlisle Bay!
So you have no excuse if you truly do
want to try us out – I have only touched the
tip of the iceberg. You can check our very

CLUB
CHOICE
G
olfers have several exciting
options in Barbados. It
could be tough to choose!
If you fancy serious golf
and you’re not restricted by
budget, the world’s your
oyster, and every course is
available. The tariff may be steep at courses
like Sandy Lane, Royal Westmoreland and
Apes Hill Club but they are quite
spectacular.
If you have no option but to consider
green fees and assess what is available at
the best rates then there is still plenty of
choice.
Perhaps you are simply the leisure golfer
and see no need to play at the best venue,
seeking a bit of fun and the 19th hole.
Rockley is your choice here!
You might be a cruiser and plan to golf at
the Barbados destination? You can hire
clubs/shoes at most venues and have an
amazing day.
The golf purist , whatever the size of your
wallet, can have a great golf experience.
Packages are available from travel agents,
but it is not too difficult to book a top hotel,
plan your flight and then book directly with
the clubs.
Let’s look at the amazing golf choices on
the island.

43 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

SANDY LANE
Sandy Lane has three outstanding courses,
including the 9-hole Old Nine. The facilities
are rated International Class with a splendid
clubhouse, restaurant and bar overlooking
the course, and quality Pro Shop. The
courses are superbly manicured and offer a
450 yards driving range, GPS system, carts
and hire clubs. Some golfers might view the
cost as high, but then again, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s THE Sandy
Lane Resort, one of the most renowned
venues in the world.
Golf course guru Tom Fazio is attributed
with the Country Club and Green Monkey
course design. The Old Nine is a remnant of
the old 18 hole course and by and large, it
has remained intact with minor changes.
The Championship Country Club Course
hosted the World Match Play in 2006 won
by the German duo Bernard Langer and
Marcel Siem. The course measures 7,060
yards and is a 72 par. Panoramic views can

Green Monkey Course

44 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

be seen of the West Coast and small lakes
adorn superb fairways. Players regard the
course as a fair challenge, although it can
be set tougher, depending on the level
required.
The wind against hole 5 is tough, but then
again hole 6 has the benefit of wind
assistance. Hole 9 comes back to the
clubhouse. The eighteenth hole is a par 3
across a small lake and is overlooked by the
clubhouse.
Tom Fazioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive Green Monkey
Course is 7,343 yards long and is another
par 72. The course has been set in an old
limestone quarry and these features are
prominent throughout. Hole 9 is a gruelling
635 yards at its longest, but within 16, 17
and 18 is a magnificent feature including a
bunker complete with a green monkey.
The Old Nine is a favourite with locals and
visitors, who remember the old days dating

back to 1961 at the old Trust House Forte
Sandy Lane Hotel. The Signature hole is the
7th and it requires a straight delivery from a
pitch on an elevated tee box overlooking
the West Coast. A clubhouse at the Old
Nine close to the hotel offers welcome
refreshments.
All three Sandy Lane courses are a treat,
but they come at a cost. The Green Monkey
is exclusive to Sandy Lane Hotel guests and
can cost US$390 for the pleasure. Caddies
are obligatory at all 18 hole Sandy Lane
courses at a modest US$50 plus tip. Most
vary from US$20 to US$50. The
Championship course charge is US$240 in
the winter season, US$195 in the summer.
Cart hire is US$30. Sandy Lane Hotel guests
fees at the Championship vary from
US$200-170, and US$150-110 at the Old
Nine for 18 holes.

APES HILL
Many golfers feel the most attractive
feature at the Apes Hill course is the
panoramic views that embraces both west
and east coasts and some stunning scenery.
However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a formidable test of golf
when set at its toughest. The three holes at
12th/13th and 14th are idyllic. The par-3
hole 12 is a must for photos, set in rock
faces within the green. Hole 13 overlooks
the East Coast and requires a straight drive
and challenging approach shot. Many
errant approach shots fall short in the gully
and disappear. Hole 14 is another photo
shot before play as the towering trees
require a straight drive and careful
approach as the attacking shot may reach
The Clubhouse at Apes Hill Club

46 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

the heavy foliage. The 16th is the Signature
hole and with good reason. A lake faces the
green and the backdrop has beautiful coral
stone and a picturesque cave.
At its longest the course reaches 7,150
yards and the design is credited to Chris
Cole and Jeff Potts. However, Apes Hill is a
much larger complex as the resort offers
polo, tennis, spa, fitness, pro shop, practice
area, driving range and an impressive
clubhouse with bar and excellent cuisine.
Apes Hill also offers an extensive range of
real estate alongside fairways and rental
units with full use of all the facilities.
Green fees range from US$170-$280.

R O YA L W E S T M O R E L A N D
Sandy Lane, Apes Hill and Royal
Westmoreland are situated close to each
other overlooking the West Coast. Royal
Westmoreland is set within sprawling real
estate, ranging from expansive (and
expensive) large villas to townhouses. An
impressive clubhouse has a Pro shop,
Diamonds International shop, bar and
cuisine with full hire facilities, which includes
the use of the driving range and putting
green. Owners also make full use of tennis,
gym and the beach facility at Mullins.
The course has many features and
designer Robert Trent Jones (Jnr) has made
full use of the rock faces that surround the
fairways. Deep gullies, two small lakes and

Aerial view of Royal Westmoreland

48 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

monkeys are prevalent, and some players
have sworn that monkeys lift the balls.
The four par-3s are excellent and the final
hole has a breathtaking view with a deep
descent to the green. Trouble abounds
unless the drive is straight and the approach
shot has to be negotiated to avoid the gully
just before. The aggressive approach also
has its problems, as the long shot might
land in the clubhouse. It is a superb final
hole and former Masters Champion Ian
Woosnam owns a villa nearby.
A number of international sporting
celebrities own at Royal Westmoreland and
the Shell World of Golf several years ago
featured a challenge between golf

superstars Sir Nick Faldo and Tom Lehman.
Lehman won from an off-colour Faldo.
The Europeans Seniors Tour also opened
the series there in former times.
The four par-3s are daunting. Hole 3 can
be troublesome if the wind howls as many
golfers fall short, but you must never be
short at the 7th as it falls in the lake! Holes
12 and 15 are surrounded with gullies. All
four have elevated tee boxes from different
locations, but circulating wind doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make
it easy to hit greens. Birdies are priceless at
par threes.
Beautiful Real estate abounds throughout.
The sales office is at the clubhouse and
rentals offer attractive rates

B A R B A DOS

BARBADOS GOLF CLUB
Dubbed the heart of Barbados golf, BGC
is mostly frequented by local players with a
variety of competitions taking place on
Saturdays and cruise ship visitors. The
course was dormant for 30 years, but Irish
golf guru Roddy Carr is credited with it’s
rejuvenation 20 years ago. As a former
International Professional player he later
retired and then aligned with some of the
most visionary golf designers including the
late Seve Ballesteros and Mark McCormick.
He introduced new thinking at Durants and
an excellent business model. He designed
wide fairways, with better use of wind,
drainage, and greens. He welcomed new
members with reasonable green fees. BGC
is now fairly priced with a wide range of
facilities. These include a clubhouse in front
of the 9th and 18th greens, bar and
restaurant, tuition, driving range, putting
green and hire club facilities. El Sol
apartments overlook the course and some

barbados Golf Club at Durants

50 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

of the units are available to rent.
Last year all the greens were replaced and
they are excellent. Overall the course
measures 7,050 yards, and is wide with
generous fairways. The errant golfer who
goes out-of-bounds will deserve it!
Wind plays an important role most times,
and is consistent and predictable. The holes
against the wind can be difficult. A feature
of the fairways is coral waste areas, which
trap the water in channels to a lake and
ensure much-needed irrigation is available.
The coral waste should be played like the
fairways rather than sand traps.
“Amen Corner” is attributed to Carr, and
involves holes 15 and 16. The 15th should
not pose a problem as a par-5, although
taking on the towering tree will be tempting
if an eagle is sought. The cautious player
might prefer to lag from the right and then
attempt to pitch and putt for the birdie
instead.

Heading to face into the wind in front of
the lake is more troublesome to get a par-3
on hole 16 and the water is full of golf balls!
That’s why it is called Amen Corner!
The last hole has options depending on
the need. It is a par-5 and you may prefer to
lag the second shot and then pitch to the
green across water. Or, you may need a
birdie and therefore it has to be a long
straight drive and another long second shot
to avoid the water close to the green. It’s up
to you how you how daring you want to be!
Green fees are US$105 and 7-day rates are
available at US$500 for a week. Twilight
rates at 3pm are available at US$55, a cart
is US$27.
Barbados Golf Club has very reasonable
rates, is a formidable challenge to play and
is excellent value for money.

ROCKLEY GOLF CLUB
Rockley is the hidden gem in Barbados
golf. Yes, there are only 9 holes, the fairways
are not immaculate like other courses,
heavy rain brings its challenges and cars
cross several holes in front of tee boxes.
However, the social buzz at Fairways
Restaurant at Rockley clubhouse is
something special, and little wonder so
many golfers return annually. Rockley has a
“Snowbird” culture and the busy season is
pre and post-Christmas. Summers are quiet,
although Saturday competitions are held
weekly and ‘pots’ are normally Tuesday and
Thursdays. The main tournaments are the
Rockley Open in February and the
Christmas Hamper where everyone gets a
prize. The club is open and all visitors are
welcome to participate, although a
handicap certificate from domicile clubs
may be required.
Rockley is the oldest course dating from
1926 and currently measures 3,780 yards at
9 holes. It is a par 70 as the game is

Rockley Golf Club

52 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

normally 18 holes (with rotating tee boxes
used). The club has a bubbly membership
throughout and presentations are made at
the end of each tournament. Although the
club has a corporate structure, the
management has traditional appointments
with a Men’s Captain and Lady Captain.
Some visitors might feel the course is easy
because the distance should never pose a
problem. However, there are several
problems. Every hole sits close to Out-ofBounds posts, bunkers protect the greens,
and towering trees surround or in some
cases, as in the 7th and 8th holes, are in the
middle. Big hitters have no advantage at
Rockley, as the skill is to manage within the
confines. Many low handicap golfers can’t
cope with the narrow fairways. In local
competition with other clubs Rockley
members are unbeatable!
Rockley is surrounded by over 400
apartments. Many visitors rent properties
from Island Gold Realty at the clubhouse

but locals live there as well. The course is a
gated community situated a few hundred
yards from the South Coast close and Accra
Beach.
Holes 7, 8 and 9 present the biggest
challenge. On hole 7 a majestic tree
stretches across the fairway. Hole 8 has a
big tree in front of the green and a bunker
to the right. This presents another tight
entry to the green. Hole 9 has four bunkers
to protect the green. You get the message!
Rockley is excellent value for money.
Green fees are normally US$55 and nonresident US$70 for each round. However,
there are packages for virtually every
combination to play. Carts are US$16.
Excellent value in an understatement. Just
add the camaraderie in the clubhouse when
the Snowbirds are in town and the buzz
après golf is something special. Golf, music,
drink and food combine to create a special
club atmosphere.

G O L F

SANDY LANE
CHARITABLE TRUST
The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust continues
doing excellent work for the
underprivileged children in Barbados. Often
heart breaking testimonies from the
children and their parents themselves, show
how this charity has achieved some amazing
success.
The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Golf
Tournament and Dinner has been the
catalyst to promote fund-raising proceeds
every year, and the Trust thanks in particular,
the Sandy Lane golf owners, donors,
sponsors, presenters, musicians and
business friends. The Auction at the Dinner

is a big favourite with popular MC Russ
Abbott entertaining with his colourful oneliners. The Dinner preludes an emotional
short video about the work of the Trust each
year, which often reduces patrons to tears
and for a sobering moment, takes us into
the world of the less fortunate.
Over the years the Golf Tournament has
established itself as the biggest sporting
charity function in Barbados, and many
overseas personalities join with Trustees
Derrick Smith, Pip Challis, John Lodge and
Julian Sacher to support this worthy charity.
Long may it continue!

GALLOPING
GARRISON
From the Diamonds International Boxing Day meet to the Sandy Lane Gold Cup and
the Massy United Derby, horse racing at the Garrison in Barbados is truly a fun day out.

59 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

H O R S E

R A C I N G

The action at the Garrison
has been enjoyed for
almost 200 years dating
back to 1840 when the
British cavalry and the local
Plantocracy fought in
sporting rivalry.

Sandy Lane Gold Cup

T

hanks to the Royal Engineers
for their work in transforming
a swamp-infested bog into a
splendid area for recreation.
It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen overnight as
the Barbados Turf Club,
formed in 1906, also
deserves a lot of credit, as they provided
spectators and stables and the
administration necessary for the modern
horse racing industry. Much has improved in
the ensuing years with added grandstands,
hospitality-boxes, tote facilities, parade
rings and sponsors.
Sponsors provide the oil that runs the
engine in Barbados horseracing and racing
today would not be possible without The
Barbados Lottery. The Turf Club Board
brought prosperity into the sport, but not
without hard work in securing sponsorship
and innovative development. The Garrison

60 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

is an impressive track these days and
continues to attract thousands of locals and
visitors to Saturday Meets.
Saturday afternoon Meets take place on
three seasons over the year and admission
is a modest $10 dollars for the Grandstand.
It is free across and inside the track. There
are normally nine races and the day offers a
wonderful experience to enjoy horseracing
mixing in close proximity to the jockeys and
horses. All the horses are paraded prior to
the race, the runners start in stalls, and all
are flat races. At the end of the race the
winning owners and trainers also parade in
front of the Grandstand. There is a lot of
pomp and exuberance displayed by the
victors! The atmosphere is a convivial
environment filled with noise, excitement
and good fun.
There are many sponsors associated with
racing, but the most popular and major

H O R S E

R A C I N G
Race Days are the Sandy Lane Gold Cup in
early March, the Massy United Derby in
August, the Ansa McCal Race Day in
November and the Diamonds International
Boxing Day.
Barbados racing owes a lot to others
overseas plying their trade and boosting
their fame. Sir Michael Stoute is without
doubt the Doyen of Trainers operating from
England, and throughout the world with a
plethora of outstanding Classics.
Many Bajan Jockeys operate in Canada

and the jewel of Barbados jockeys is Pat
Husbands with over 3,000 wins and a host
of podiums. Others remember with
affection “Chally” Jones, Jono Jones and
Venice Richards et al. Trainers like Scobie
Beasley, Bill Marshall, Victor Cheeseman
and the triumphant Robert Peirce. Owners
and Breeders are aplenty are the Garrison
Savannah.
Visitors are in for an unforgettable
experience. Don’t miss it!

Dominique Silvera & friend

Sandy Lane Gold Cup atmosphere

62 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Exclusively sold at Diamonds International
SafiKilima.com
LIMEGROVE LIFESTYLE CENTER, HOLETOWN, ST. JAMES 271.8230
LOWER BROAD STREET, BRIDGETOWN 430.2400 8 BROAD STREET, BRIDGETOWN 430.2422
SANDY LANE HOTEL, ST. JAMES 444.2000 TAMARIND COVES, ST. JAMES 419.2508
THE FAIRMONT ROYAL PAVILION, ST. JAMES 419.2502 TURTLE BEACH RESORT, CHRIST CHURCH 418.1331
ROYAL WESTMORELAND, ST. JAMES 419.2510 GRANTLEY ADAMS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 430.2400
WAVES, PROSPECT BAY, ST. JAMES 256.6041 COLONY CLUB, PORTERS, ST. JAMES 422.2335
THE RADISSON HOTEL, ST. MICHAEL 228.0146

Sir Charles Williams and
jockey Affrie Ward

Mr. & Mrs. Challis

Sandy Lane Gold Cup winners!

64 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Mrs. Shelly Williams & friend

Leading in the winner

H O R S E

R A C I N G

R O S E T T E AT T H E H U B
CEO at the Barbados Turf Club, (BTC)
Rosette Peirce has many objectives, but her
biggest wish list within and outside the
industry is that everyone understands that
horseracing is not an exclusive sport. It is
inclusive for everyone!
“The racing industry in Barbados is
holding its own these days. That’s because
everyone is getting involved, visitors and
locals. We are slowly losing the stigma of
the title “Sport of Kings” because this has
changed in the modern world. We have
grooms that are now horse owners, and this
is important for everyone to understand.
The sport is changing and so is the
audience,” said Rosette.
Rosette started at the BTC in 2007 as the
Administration/Human Resources Manager.
Over the years she has risen through the
ranks and now sits in the hot seat. Her
husband is a very successful trainer Robert
Peirce with several Sandy Lane Gold Cups
to his name and he has won many other
accolades. To say racing is in the blood of
their family is an understatement!
Rosette doesn’t view her job as just a
title. It’s her passion!
“I get to work with my husband every
day. If I was not passionate about this
industry, I would have left a long time ago. I

Rosette Peirce

66 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

enjoy all the aspects of the job including
race days, but my favourite day is the
Diamonds International Boxing Day event.
I’m not sure if it’s the spirit within Christmas,
but it’s the one day that everyone seems to
be in a happy mood.”
Asked whether any of the big events has
lost its spark, Rosette retorted quickly“The Sandy Lane Gold Cup in March is
always tremendous. It is very special and
local and international interest is huge. The
Massy United Derby is also going from
strength to strength. Massy Director of
Business Development, Strategy and
Marketing Micky Armstrong is very much
hands-on, and gets involved with his team
in the organization. It’s great to have such a
committed sponsor. We are very fortunate
at the BTC to have such wonderful
sponsors.”
Horse Racing in Barbados over the
calendar year spans three seasons and is
closed in September and October to carry
out necessary maintenance. Rosette adds:
“We have been doing some upgrades
and the biggest challenge has been to
change the betting system to United Tote.
This is aligned to international systems so
that punters can bet at overseas races and
vici versa. It’s a win-win for everyone. Our

previous betting system was unique to us,
but this new system will link us to the major
global tracks.”
Rosette then added a few things to her
wish list:
“I would like to see our sport given more
respect in the media and at Awards. It
seems we are left out many times. I don’t
think people understand or appreciate the
contribution this industry makes. We make a
major contribution to our economy,
especially when it comes to sports tourism.
Again, this gets back to changing the
concept about ‘Sport of Kings.’ People have
to change their perspective and realize that
this sport is inclusive.”
And another:
“We hope to get permission from the
World Heritage Organization to sanction
Night Racing. It’s another win-win for sports
tourism and could be on the cards shortly.”
There is no doubt the BTC is in good
hands with this dynamic lady. She is the hub
of local racing and a driving force to change
and innovate. Race Days are the public
occasions to promote the big events, but
behind the scene Rosette has been doing
tremendous work within the BTC.
Go out and enjoy a truly fun day at the
Garrison.

MASSY UNITED INSURANCE

BARBADOS DERBY

RACE DAY 2017

massyunitedinsurance.com
T 430 1900

P

O

L

O

Monique Archer and Guille Clerici

70 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

POLO SCENE
Getting its start in Barbados in the late 1800s, the local
polo scene has spread its wings in recent years.
STORY BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS

71 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

P

O

L

O

For most Barbadians, the
end of the year signals the
yuletide season and
prospects of a new year.
However, for a small crosssection of the population,
the month of December
heralds the beginning of
the annual local polo
season. Running originally
from January to June as the
first local players were
planter class, the season
now runs close to the end
of May. Getting its start in
Barbados in the late 1800s,
the local polo scene has
spread its wings in recent
years as it continues to
comfortably carve out a
niche for itself.

Polo at Holders

P

olo has always been a social
scene in Barbados as in the
early days, the well-to-do were
thirsty for recreation. Polo
brought by the British Cavalry
soldiers garrisoned here,
always provided them with an opportunity
to impress the ladies.
These days the social scene has taken on
a life of its own as locals from all walks of
life venture out to take-in a game or two
throughout the season. At each game over
the months, many a first-timer can be
caught soaking in the atmosphere and
being schooled on the fundamentals of the
game, which is very much akin to playing a
game of hockey on a set of legs that are
not yours.
This spike in attendance has not been
restricted to sons and daughters of the soil
as many a visitor seeks out the season
schedule before booking their trips so that
they can take in a few chukkas themselves.
With the regular club matches providing

72 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

enough excitement for those who hold
polo near and dear to their hearts, it is the
numerous international tours and bigbilled tournaments that draw in the
massive crowds each year. Barbados has
cemented its spot on the world polo map
as international players from all over the
globe make their way to these shores to
take in some of our world-famous
hospitality on and off the field.
Already sharing a special relationship
with Argentina as several players have
made Barbados their second home, the
annual season attracts players and teams
from Jamaica, Brazil, the United States of
America, Canada, United Kingdom, South
Africa, Kenya and as far as India, which
speaks volumes about the offerings of
island's sports tourism product.
As soon as January hits, the international
teams start to trickle in with the Villages
team from the US bringing the early
challenge to the Bajans, followed or
sometimes played concurrently with the

O
Canadian tour. Out of the UK, the
Hickstead tour provides some exciting
games for the Apes Hill Polo Club, while
the ever-popular rivalry between the
Barbados Polo Club and Cheshire has
been rumbling for years and continues to
do so.
Several other tours and tournaments
draw massive crowds to the grounds at
Holders, Lion Castle and Apes Hill, but
none carries an energy, buzz or a following
like the Diamonds International Battle of
the Sexes. Three international female
players and one local lady go head-tohead against some of the best male
players. With the odds ever in the favour of

74 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

the men, the support for the women is
unparalleled as the majority roots for the
ladies in the keenly-contested matches.
Contrary to popular belief or what may
hold in different parts of the world, polo in
Barbados is for everyone. From the tiniest
of tots to the more mature, from the
seasoned spectator to the chukka virgin.
There is space and a spot for all to enjoy
an evening at the club house. Whether it is
having a drink at the bar or arguing the last
play with the outspoken Sir Charles
Williams, all colours and classes are
welcome. Don't let the 2018 season miss
you.

Of course, Barbados
never lost these wonderful
calypso lyrics “Cricket
lovely Cricket,” but it has
been painful to sing for
many years as West Indies
cricket struggled. However,
there is a brighter future as
the Windies are rising like a
Phoenix from the Ashes.

M

any Bajans believe West
Indies cricket will never
succeed without
Barbados involvement.
This lack of Bajan talent
happened in the past,
but the current squad is
now packed with potential and talent. The
West Indies aligned with Barbados last year
and things have a brighter future with a
young team. Spearheading the new team is
skipper Jason Holder from Wanderers and
Barbados and it is in good hands with him!
We welcome all the giants in cricket and
especially the famous Barmy Army who
follow the mighty Lion England. In
particular, we welcome club tours and you
can contact Sporting Barbados for direction
on the right people to arrange your tour.
Some clubs combine cricket with golf and
for schools they often link with hockey and
netball. The Sir Garfield Sobers
International Schools Cricket Tournament in
July has been a successful competition for
30 years and produced several Test players
in the past. We should not forget about the
Ladies teams either, as the brand is buoyant
and exciting. West Indies Ladies includes
several Barbados stars including the multitalented Deandra Dottin.
We also have the exciting Caribbean
Premier Cricket (CPL), which produces the
fast-food cricket that spectators flock to

82 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

see. Barbados has a franchise called
Tridents, which contains overseas players in
late July/August/September, but the times
are subject to change to accommodate
global cricket. Best to contact
www.cplt20.com for the fixtures.
Barbados prides itself on excellent
facilities and friendly camaraderie.
International matches are held at the
Kensington Oval and occasionally at 3Ws
Oval at the West Indies University Complex.
For the 2018 Itinerary best to contact
www.cricketwestindies.org for the details.
West Indies and Barbados has been
blessed with some of the greatest players in
the world. Stars include the famous 3Ws Sir
Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir
Frank Worrell, Sir Conrad Hunte, Sir Wesley
Hall, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner,
Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and
of course, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield
Sobers, acknowledged as “the greatest
cricketer in the world” by the famous
Trinidad Calypso writer Mighty Sparrow in
the early Sixties.
These stars have been captured in text
and photographs in a beautiful coffee table
book entitled “50 Barbados Sporting
Greats- 1966-2016” to mark the Jubilee
Celebration.
The books are available from
www.sportingbarbados.com

PHOTOS: KENMORE BYNOE
Once again the Lodge School from St
John emerged victorious after the 2017
Tournament took place last year. It was the
Battle of the Locals after Christ Church
Foundation also made the final, but 29 runs
narrowly defeated them. The final was held
at Kensington Oval in late July.
Lodge batsmen Nagid Forde (40) and
Shemwyn Harris (35) stole the honours after
skipper Jamali Lynch provided staunch
support to reach 165. Sir Garfield Sobers
presented the trophy to the jubilant team.
This Tournament was the 31st competition
dating back 1986. Some of the great
players that have emerged over the years
include former West Indies Captain Brian
Lara, former England Captain Alastair Cook
and other Test players Sherwin Campbell
and Dale Berstein.
A full complement of 24 teams took place
over the two-week series. It was deemed a
success by the hierarchy despite being

reduced to a two-week series, although the
options were few. Global academic
requirements would have brought logistical
problems.
There were 13 teams from overseas
including four teams from the UK and
Canada. Teams competed in three sections
throughout the island, culminating with the
final at Kensington Oval. Several of the
former players of yesteryear attended in
honour of this prestigious occasion,
deemed to be one of the best of its type in
the world.
The tournament is a 40-overs format, but
the format is under review with T20
competition in the light of time constraints
with such tight schedules. However, T20 is
the flavour in world cricket and whatever is
decided local and overseas teams are
guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
Barbados cricket is very special.

The islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to successfully stage major motor sport
events with international appeal is helping to grow its reputation
on the world stage in both circuit racing and stage rallying.
Story by Mark Wheeler

Bushy Park Barbados from the air

91 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

M O T O R S P O R T

If you are people-watching
in either of London
Gatwick’s departure
lounges in the UK during
the last two weeks of May,
you’ll easily spot them.
Mixed groups of males and
females, adults and
children, up to 20 or so in
each group, attired in
matching polo shirts . . .
some groups will favour
green, some blue, some
yellow, but all those shirts
will have one thing in
common, either in print or
logo form, the legend Sol
Rally Barbados.

T

hey’re among the hundreds
of visitors from the UK that
head to the island each year
for the Barbados Rally Club’s
(BRC) premier event. From
small beginnings as a largelydomestic All-Stage Rally for around 30
crews in 1990, it has grown into the
Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport
International and a keystone of the island’s
sports-tourism portfolio . . . more than 40
overseas crews competed last year,
approaching half the total entry. Sol Rally
Barbados contributes around Bds $4 million
to the economy each year, much of it in
valuable foreign exchange, and accounts
for more than 3,500 visitor nights at a
traditionally quiet time.
It is a widely-accepted fact that motor
sport has consistently drawn some of the
largest crowds to attend sporting events in
Barbados in recent years. While island fans
have yet to see one of their own competing
on the world stage – something the
Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) is
determined to correct in the next few years
– their enthusiasm for motor sport is
undiminished.
Via the BMF, the island’s umbrella
organisation for no fewer than six motor
sport clubs covering every discipline from
92 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

circuit racing, through dragsters and karting
to stage rallying, Barbados is affiliated to
the world governing body, the Federation
Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). This
small Caribbean territory of just 166 square
miles is among only 10 of the FIA’s 135
member countries with a population of
below 1 million; with around 400
competition licence-holders annually,
however, it has arguably the most active
motor sport community per head of the
population of any country in the world.
All around the island, there is a pride in
car ownership evident in everything from
highly-polished near-current Mitsubishi
Lancer Evos and Subaru Imprezas to equally
spotless decades-old Toyota Corollas,
running on expensive after-market rims and
clearly the subject of regular TLC. In its
more extreme forms, that fondness for the
motor car throws up oddities such as rear
spoilers that would not look out of place on
a single-seater racing car looking, well,
huuuugely out of place on the boot of a
family saloon, or even the roof of one of the
island’s many yellow and blue ‘mini-buses’.
Over the last six decades or so, that islandwide enthusiasm has combined with an
inherent organisational talent to become
the solid foundation of the most
professional and wide-ranging motor sport

‘industry’ in the English-speaking
Caribbean. The Barbados Rally Club, which
celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2017, is
the oldest organisation in the island
devoted to a sport not involving a ball and
was a pioneer of sports-tourism in the
1960s, long before the phrase had even
been invented.
Initially, invitations were issued to the
motor sports fraternity around the region,
particularly from Jamaica, to participate in
the Club’s navigational rallies; then, as the
original developer of the Bushy Park race
track in St Philip in the 1970s, the Club’s net
spread wider to include competitors from
Europe and North America alongside those
from around the region, some of whom
remain visitors to this day. Just before last
year’s Williams Industries International Race
Meet at Bushy Park, Jamaica’s Silbourne
Clarke, Chairman of the Caribbean Motor
Racing Association, said: “Bushy Park holds
many, many fond memories for those of us
that have had the privilege to race here
and, for some like myself from the inception
of the track in 1971, the opportunity to
make life-long friendships while taking part
in the sport we all love.”
Fast forward a couple of decades to the
1990s, during which the Barbados Rally
Club started to concentrate on its core

M O T O R S P O R T
business of rallying and the steady growth
of its premier event, renamed Rally
Barbados in 2003. In the past 15 or so
years, the event has hosted around 500
overseas participants from 29 countries.
While the biggest competitor base remains
the UK and Ireland, competitors have come
from as far afield as Australia, Japan, Kenya,
New Zealand, South Africa and the United
States.
And the visitors get to win, too . . .
although it will take some time for anyone
to match island legend Roger Skeete’s
record of 13 victories! Last year, Jamaica’s
Jeffrey Panton and Michael Fennell Jnr
survived a late-afternoon scare on the final
day to claim a hat-trick of victories in their
Ford Focus WRC06, leading home only the
fourth podium lock-out by overseas
competitors in the 28-year history of the
event. Regular British visitors filled the next
three places: second for Rob Swann and
Darren Garrod (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)

equalled their best result, while Roger
Duckworth (Impreza S6), co-driven by Alun
Cook, claimed his first podium and a fourth
win in WRC-2 after a determined charge
during the final afternoon carried them past
Kevin Procter and Andrew Roughead (Ford
Fiesta).
Until the past couple of years, the BRC’s
principal focus has been on attracting a
regular flow of new competitors to the
event, but a combination of years of
worldwide television coverage and ‘wordof-mouth’ promotion now seems to be
taking care of that side of things, as the
event is now on many a competitor’s
‘bucket list’ – last year, for instance, the 79
individual overseas participants included 29
new to the event, and each brings family
and friends along for the ride. So the Club
has shifted its emphasis toward a more
spectator-focussed approach.
Supported by the island’s private sector
Tourism Development Corporation (TDC),

the Club partnered with tour specialists
Rally Travel to offer Official Spectator
Packages for 2017, which were launched at
Europe's largest motor sport show,
Autosport International (ASI) in the UK last
January. Positive customer feedback remarks such as “I’m hooked on Barbados”
and “if you’re thinking of doing it, it was
magic!” from year one visitors - prompted
Rally Travel to include Sol RB for a second
year as the only non-WRC offering in its
calendar.
Rally Travel MD David Hutchinson says:
“Our agreement for 2017 came very late so,
by the time we were talking to potential
customers at Autosport in January, many
had already made their plans . . . but we did
get an incredibly positive reaction. Sol Rally
Barbados can, and should, become a 'must
do' event on every motor sport fan's
calendar.”
After the first chapter of its life in the ‘70s,
Bushy Park closed for nearly two decades,

Dark Hole special stage. Photo: Himal Reece
courtesy of the Barbados Rally Club

M O T O R S P O R T
reopening in 1992, after which regional
participation was quickly revived, and
maintained well into the 21st Century. But it
was the redevelopment of what is now
branded Bushy Park Barbados which has
helped place the island even more firmly on
the global motor sport map. After the first
phase of reconstruction was completed in
nine months, the new venue was launched
to the world with Top Gear Festival in May
2014. The Race Of Champions followed in
December, with Red Bull Global Rallycross
then the feature International event in 2015,
all three of these events affording the venue
– and its island home – priceless worldwide
television and social media coverage.
In 2016, the circuit management decided
to create its own home-grown celebration
of motoring and motor sport – the
Barbados Festival of Speed – which starred
three-time Formula 1 World Champion
Lewis Hamilton in its inaugural year
(reprising his earlier appearance at TGF);
the mix of other international content, the
Dreamers Banger Racers from the UK – a
huge hit with local fans – and stunt bikes
and Monster Trucks from North America,
with a cross-section of local motor sport

disciplines attracted an influx of visitors
from the region and further afield.
Last October’s second iteration of BFoS,
which starred former F1 Champion Jenson
Button and current Sahara Force India
driver Esteban Ocon, was the first
International event to benefit from Bushy
Park’s significant investment in all-arena
lighting; the eight-hour event, which ran
from day into night, included displays from
the UK’s Twister Aerobatics team in its firstever performance in the Americas. The only
European outfit certified to fly after-dark
shows, the Twister team’s spectacular
Twilight Pyrotechnic Display closed the
show, leaving the packed house eager for
more.
The island’s ability to successfully stage
major motor sport events with international
appeal is helping to grow its reputation on
the world stage in both circuit racing and
stage rallying. In August last year, five years
to the day after he first visited Barbados to
break ground for the redevelopment of
Bushy Park, FIA President Jean Todt
returned the island; although he was there
for only one day in his capacity as the
United Nations Secretary General’s Special

Envoy for Road Safety, he toured Bushy
Park to review the progress made by the
BMF with projects assisted by the FIA
Sports and Safety Grant programmes.
In addition to the substantial funding
received towards preparing the Bushy Park
Development Plan in 2011, the FIA also
supported a Senior Officials Training
weekend in January 2013 and, most
recently, the purchase of new safety
equipment for the Barbados Rally Club,
including a mobile fire suppression unit.
Speaking to the media at Bushy Park,
President Todt said: “You have an amazing
facility. In Barbados, a small country of less
than 300,000 population, there are a lot of
skilled people with energy, passion and
professionalism, which makes me very
happy.”
And, if the man at the top of the global
motor sport pyramid is “very happy”, then
those involved in organising and promoting
motor sport in Barbados also have reason
to be happy . . . and proud of their
achievements, as their island home once
again punches above its weight on the
world stage.

The Caribbean’s oldest
road running festival
celebrated its 35th year in
December 2017. As usual
most of the races started
and finished at the
picturesque Bay Street
Esplanade overlooking the
magnificent Carlisle Bay.
For the first few years after
its start in 1983 Run
Barbados consisted of just
two races, the “Bridgetown
10K” and the Marathon.
Today, this exciting event
has evolved into one of the
premier sporting attractions
on the island with five
running races and a walk
spread over three days.

O

102 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

ver the past three
decades the Run
Barbados Series has
attracted a variety of
runners of varying ages
and abilities from
recreational to world class and hailing from
all over the world. In the last few years Run
Barbados has enjoyed over 2,000 entries
annually across the six events. Over
eighty percent of the competitors visit
from across the globe: Canada, USA,
France, Spain, Germany, Malaysia,
Colombia, Venezuela, UK, Sweden and
many Caribbean islands. The island is
easily accessible, with flights arriving daily
from many major cities.
The longevity and popularity of this
significant event on the Barbados Sports
calendar can be attributed to faithful
runners, both locals and foreigners who
return year after year and then spread the
word to their friends and clubs back home.
There are many visiting runners who have
returned multiple times to attend Run
Barbados. American Kim Goff, eleventime marathon winner in Barbados, visited
for twenty-five years consecutively to take
part in her cherished event. Although the
choice of destination races around the
world is endless the Barbados event has
certain distinguishing characteristics that

encourage runners to return again and
again. Maybe it’s the sheer beauty of the
island or the laid-back atmosphere or the
very friendly people and maybe it’s just a
combination of many factors that result in a
highly memorable runcation!
The three-day schedule allows runners
to take part in several events. A wonderful
camaraderie results as old friends re-unite,
new friendships are made and après run
activities planned. It epitomizes the event
slogan, coined by Alan Brookes (Canada
Running Series) in 2000 when he was Race
director in Barbados: “Come for the Run,
Stay for the Fun!” The Fun starts on the
Friday night with many runners donning
outlandish costumes for the Fun Mile. The
lively atmosphere continues throughout
the weekend with live steel pan music on
the routes and island style entertainment
at the Finish line. Many runners cross the
finish and dive into the sea before
sampling local brews and food.
In 2018, Run Barbados together with
title sponsor the Cave Shepherd Group of
Companies, will present its 36th edition:
Cave Shepherd Marathon, Fortress HalfMarathon, Colombian Emeralds Int'l 10K,
Cave Shepherd Visa Credit Card 5K,
Ganzee 5K Walk for Charity and the Signia
Fun Mile. Dec 7-9, 2018.

R

U

N

N

I

N

G

104 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

106 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Sailing
B

A

R

B

A

D

O

S

STORY BY ANNE TINDALE, PHOTOS BY PETER MARSHALL

107 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

S

A

I

L

I

N

G

With its idyllic sailing
conditions of fairly constant
winds, flat seas and clear
blue skies for most of the
year, Barbados has
continued to build its
reputation as a premier
venue for international
yacht racing events
throughout the past year,
starting with the Barbados
50 Transatlantic Rally in
November 2016.
Sponsored by Barbados
Tourism Marketing Inc.
(BTMI), Barbados 50 was
organised by Jimmy
Cornell of Cornell Sailing to
commemorate the 50th
anniversary of Barbados’
independence.

108 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Barbados 50 Transatlantic Rally entrants at anchor in Bridgetown

T

he epic voyage of over 5000
miles had a fitting start in
London on July 31st, 2016.
The yachts, all sporting
banners made up of the
distinctive Barbados national
flag colours of blue and gold, sailed
though London’s Tower Bridge as it
opened for them at noon on that day. They
spent half an hour circling in the historic
Pool of London off the Tower of London
before turning with the tide to make their
way downriver to begin the
commemorative Rally.
Sailing on to the Cape Verde Islands via
Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, the
fleet was joined by others along the way. A
total of 33 yachts then set sail for Barbados
on November 9th. Eleven days later, the
French catamaran, Sir Henri 4, was the first
yacht to arrive in Barbados to an
enthusiastic welcome by Jimmy Cornell
and members of BTMI on the newly
constructed docking facilities in the
Shallow Draft. Yachts continued to arrive
over the next 2 weeks with only two failing
to arrive in time for the 50th anniversary
celebrations on November 30th.
The Barbados 50 Rally brought sailors
from many different nationalities to
Barbados and most of the yachts had
children on board, so it was fitting that the
children were able to share their ocean
adventures with some of the children of
Barbados. To this end, local schools were

partnered with individual yachts and the
children were able to communicate with
each other via email while the boats were
at sea. On arrival in Barbados, the young
sailors visited the schools and met up with
their email friends.
In January 2017, the annual BTMI and
Mount Gay Rum sponsored Mount Gay
Rum Round Barbados Race Series
welcomed yachts and sailors from many
different countries around the world,
especially the Northern Hemisphere, being
seen as a perfect post-Christmas winter
escape. Being sailed in January almost
guarantees the sailors are treated to some
of the best winds Barbados has to offer,
known locally as ‘’Christmas winds”.
This year’s Series, organised by the
Barbados Cruising Club, comprised a 3
day Coastal Series and the Round the
Island Race. Sailing in relatively flat seas
and 17 to 20 knot breezes, the Coastal
Series saw yachts doing battle in five
different classes. The most hotly contested
was the CSA Racing Class and local yacht,
Whistler, helmed by Peter Lewis, emerged
overall winner.
The Round the Island Race then
followed on January 21st, the birthday of
the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow,
Barbados’ first Prime Minister, “father” of
independence and a founder member of
the Cruising Club. The first ever organised
Round Barbados Race was held on January
1st, 1936 when five trading schooners

The ‘Moth’!

Team Concise

The Blue Peter

109 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

S

A

I

L

I

N

G

competed for ‘’bragging rights” and a
small prize. Winning the race in a time of
10 hours, 20 minutes was Lou Kennedy’s
Sea Fox. The Race was revived in 2011 and
now takes place annually on January 21st.
The 60 mile course begins with a
staggered start in Carlisle Bay and the
boats then sail in a clockwise direction
around the island, finishing back in Carlisle
Bay. A variety of prizes are up for grabs
with the most coveted of these being a
quantity of Mount Gay Extra Old Rum
equivalent to the weight of the skipper of
any yacht that breaks any of the existing
records.
With a total of 14 records up for grabs
this year, 29 yachts, including classics such
as Adix, the Blue Peter, Tres Hombres and
Ruth, set sail around the island. However,
with relatively light winds for the time of
year, only one of these records was broken;
the Singlehanded Monohull record which
was broken by Andres Berg from Germany
aboard his Dufour 44, Luna. Also racing,

but not breaking his own record this time
round, was Tony Lawson’s spectacular
MOD70, Ms Barbados 10, who had broken
the absolute Multihull record in 2016 with
an amazing time of 2 hours, 37 minutes, 38
seconds in one of the most spectacular
Round the Island Races in history.
The Barbados Sailing Association’s
premier regatta for 2017, the Barbados
Old Brigand Rum Regatta, was sailed in
early May. Competition was fierce, with
local yachts Bunga Bunga, helmed by
Charlie Gloumeau, emerging as overall
winner of the J/24 Class and Mandy,
helmed by Bruce Robinson, winning the
Racer/Cruiser Class. Organisers of the
Regatta placed a heavy emphasis on
promoting it as a “green regatta” with the
aim of protecting our marine environment
from rubbish, especially plastic, entering
the water. To this end, the Sailing
Association partnered with Sailors for the
Sea, an international organisation that
invites all boaters worldwide to protect the

Nick Craig

OK Dinghies

110 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

OK Dinghy action

oceans.
Having hosted the highly successful
International One Metre World
Championships in 2009, the Fireball World
Championships in 2010, the SAP 505
World Championships in 2013 and the
GP14 World Championships last year in
2016, Barbados welcomed 80 OK Dinghy
sailors from 9 different countries in late
May to compete in the OK Dinghy Worlds
2017, and then in early June a further 130
Finn Masters sailors were welcomed from
21 countries to compete in the Finn
Masters Worlds 2017. Both events were
sponsored by BTMI, and hosted by the
Barbados Yacht Club and Barbados
Cruising Club.
Sailing in late May and early June, the
sailors were presented with some
challenging sailing conditions typical of
that time of the year. The higher than
normal seas swells and stronger than
normal winds on some of the days made
for some very interesting races, with even

S

A

I

L

I

N

G

the most experienced sailors being kept
on their toes until the very end. With
phrases such as “just perfect”, “fantastic”,
“amazing”, “we want to come back” being
constantly heard, the overall OK World
Champion, Nick Craig from the UK,
summed it all up: “It was a tricky week, we
had some wind challenges, but overall just
a fantastic place to sail. It’s so warm, the
water’s warm, the beer’s cold; it’s
fantastic.”
At the closing ceremonies of both
championships, the local Organising
Committee, made up of members of the
Barbados Sailing Association, was praised
for its outstanding job, and neither
championship could have taken place
without the time and dedication of a large
number of volunteers from Barbados’
sailing community. From lending their
boats to serve as crash boats, mark boats
and jury boats, to going out on the water
to man these boats or staying ashore to
man the beach and to help launch and

FINN Masters

retrieve the competitors dinghies, local
sailors willingly gave of their time to ensure
the events were such a huge success.
Outside of hosting these various
international sailing events, competitive
sailing went on in Barbados throughout
2017. Very few weekends went by without
there being a dinghy, J/24 or racer/cruiser
regatta being sailed in Carlisle Bay or
along the South and West coasts of the
island. Some new sponsors including
Armstrong Agencies, Golden Ridge Farms,
R L Seale and Co Ltd and Stansfeld Scott
joined long-time sponsors; Harris Paints,
Lucky Horseshoe, Massy Stores, Taylor’s
Cycle Centre, the Boatyard and Tiki Bar to
make this all possible.
Some of the most exciting racing was
seen in the J/24 Class with the yachts
competing in eight different regattas
through the season to be crowned the
2017 J/24 National Champion. Being onedesign yachts, all have identical designs so
that emphasis is put on the skills of the

sailors rather than on the equipment, and
coming into the eighth and final regatta
two boats, Bunga Bunga and College
Fund$, were tied on points in the top spot.
With it all coming down to the wire in that
regatta, Bunga Bunga, helmed by Charlie
Gloumeau, just edged out College Fund$,
helmed by Nick Lashley, to be crowned
overall Champion.
The year’s sailing season came to an end
with the National Dinghy Championships.
Organised by the Barbados Sailing
Association and sponsored by the
Barbados Olympic Association, the
Championships comprised a series of 25
races sailed over five weekends in various
classes, including GP14, Laser, Topper,
Sunfish and Optimist. Sailed between
September and November, the
Championships provided a fitting end to a
packed and exciting year of sailing in
Barbados.

Discovering Barbados as an
open water swimmer is akin
to stumbling on a treasure
trove. The southwest and
west coasts abound with
spectacular open water
swim sites. Crystal clear
calm water that laps gently
onto white sand beaches,
little or no undertow and a
wide variety of tropical fish,
sea horses, octopus, sea
turtles and reef squid to
gaze at in wonderment
while swimming.

D

iscovering Barbados as an
open water swimmer is akin
to stumbling on a treasure
trove. The southwest and
west coasts abound with
spectacular open water
swim sites. Crystal clear calm water that
laps gently onto white sand beaches, little
or no undertow and a wide variety of
tropical fish, sea horses, octopus, sea
turtles and reef squid to gaze at in
wonderment while swimming.
The Barbados Open Water Festival
(BOWF), an annual event first held in 2013,
is now an established sporting event on
the island’s calendar and has grown in
popularity with every passing year. Rob
Kent of Global Swim Series and L.O.S.T
swam in 2016 and wrote: “It was
incredible! In just a few short years the
Barbados Open Water Festival has turned
into a major event on the open water swim
circuit and now having experienced it, it is
easy to see why!” The visiting swimmers
rave about the ideal open water swimming
conditions, the beauty of the island and
the welcoming nature of the locals.
Every year a plethora of Masters
swimmers visit from the US, UK and
Canada but swimmers really do come from
across the globe with some journeying
from as far away as Australia and Hong
Kong. The event is also well supported by
local open water swimming enthusiasts

120 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

and firm friendships have been built
between visiting swimmers and the local
swim community. In the early days the
Festival consisted of two open water swim
races (1.5K and 5K) but has since
expanded to include a 3.3K and a 10K race
as well as three days of pre-race weekend
practice swims.
The practice swims are highly popular as
they allow visiting swimmers to swim at the
race venue in Carlisle Bay as well as
experience two other fabulous open water
swim locations around the island (“Miami
Beach” & Port St Charles Marina). The
“post swim dinners” and lounging are
much enjoyed and result in swapping of
swim stories and lots of laughs. Swim
conditions and beauty of the island aside,
there is a wonderful camaraderie among
the swimmers at this event. It’s this mix of
fun and competition in a fabulous location
with its laidback island-life setting that has
resulted in excellent reviews and many
repeat swim visitors.
In the words of one of the visiting
Festival swimmers: “Take it off the bucket
list and just do it! I plan to be back for
sure. I met great people, ate great food,
enjoyed many swims in pristine waters and
achieved many first time goals. I highly
recommend.”
The 2018 BOWF will offer 1.5K, 3.3K, 5K
and 10K swims and is scheduled for
November 7-11, 2018.

Zander Venezia
2 July 2001 - 5 September 2017
It was a breezy, sunny day in Barbados on the Tuesday before
Hurricane Irma was about to hit the northern Caribbean. The
storm was delivering waves to the East Coast of Barbados that
surfers only dream of.
Zander Venezia, at 16, had just won the Rip Curl Search in the
Outer Banks. He was a junior pro surfer, extremely competent and
had surfed in these conditions before. He was surfing with other
pro surfers who had flown to the island in anticipation of the
swell. He surfed for around four hours and told one of the pros
Dylan Graves that he had just caught the best wave of his life. He
was heading back to shore when the accident happened. The
other surfers noticed his board floating and that he had not
surfaced and rushed to help. Zander had tragically been tossed
against the reef and despite the best efforts of everyone present
did not recover.
This fun loving lad, on the cusp of a brilliant surfing future was
soon to travel to Japan to compete in the International Surfing
Association World Junior Championships and then to finish off
the year in California. Zander was a 6 time National Champion of
Barbados and had also won multiple international titles including
the coveted NSSA North America East Coast Regional
Championships in April, being the second Caribbean national to
ever win that title. Son to Louis and Lisa Venezia and brother to
Bella, Zander will forever be remembered as a happy, talented,
community minded young man.
Barbados has lost a potentially great sporting icon and a
beautiful soul.

128 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

DIVE
BARBADOS
Story & Photos by Lucy Agace

Photo: Lucy Agace

130 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Photo: Lucy Agace

131 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

D

I

V

I

N

G

Barbados is famous for its
world class beaches,
restaurants and rum but
what about the scuba
diving? With over 39 dive
sites sprinkled mainly off
the west and south coast
barrier and fringing reefs,
Barbados has plenty to
offer the keen scuba diver.
There are over ten fully
equipped dive shops who
provide excellent diving
services. They escort divers
of any ability on dives and
can teach various dive
courses to those who
wishes to learn the sport or
improve their level of
ability.

132 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Photo: Lucy Agace

A

variety of hard and soft
corals cover the Barbados
reefs and brightly
coloured sponges like
orange, yellow and
purple. All this is
complemented by a profusion of beautiful
Caribbean reef fish and pelagic fish.
Schools of common reef fish like snappers,
grunts, yellow goatfish, chromis and creole
wrasse are seen throughout the reefs and
around the wrecks. Trumpet fish ( a long
thin fish), chub, yellow tail damsel fish,
angel fish, and many species of butterfly
fish inhabit the reefs, along with barracuda
but they are quite rare these days.
Barbados is also home to many pelagic
fish such as, various species of jacks,
tarpon, rainbow runners, cero and
mackerels, there are others which
fishermen catch, but we don’t see them on
the reefs. There are the occasional
sightings of manta rays, eagle rays, whale
sharks (large and harmless), sun fish and
some sharks. Sharks are a misunderstood
creature and one of my favourites. The
only ones you are likely to see whilst diving
are nurse sharks off the north coast hiding
in caves or under ledges, they are not
found on our reefs at all.
A favourite among divers and snorkelers
are the many sightings of turtles which
come to Barbados to lay their eggs from

May to July. Green turtles and Hawksbill
turtles inhabit our shores but only
Hawksbill turtles lay their eggs here. Also
quite common on dive sites and the
shallow near shore sandy areas are sting
rays, these majestic creatures are harmless
and will shy away from any human contact.
But if you snorkel over them and just watch
you can see them feed on fish scraps and
search in the sand for food.
Possibly one of the most popular sea
creatures worldwide are seahorses,
Barbados is so blessed to have seahorses
on many dives sites but especially on one
the Cement Plant Pier which is up in the
north/west of the island. It is 95%
guaranteed to see one in this area,
especially if you dive with me. My record is
15 seahorses on one dive! I have seen
them on other dive sights such as; Pamir,
Carlisle Bay, Fishermans, Friar’s Craig and
even on the mast of the SS Stavronikita
wreck. They come in many colours yellow,
orange and brown and are about 20cms
long when their tail is curled around a
piece of sponge which they do to anchor
themselves. Here’s a tip; they are very
often found near to the seabed. If you
don’t dive you maybe be able to spot one
whilst snorkelling in Carlisle Bay, they can
be found curled around buoy ropes.
However it doesn't stop there. Barbados
has undoubtedly the best collection of

D

I

V

I

N

G

wrecks in the Caribbean. There are 11
wrecks in total - large and small, old and
new, some are deep while others are
shallow and easily accessible by
snorkelling. Standing above all others,
quite literally, is the freighter SS
Stavronikita, she which was sunk on
purpose in 1978 and lies at 135 feet. This
impressive wreck is now covered in
amazing corals, sponges and fish life and is
the most often re-dived site in Barbados.
Unique in the world is the Carlisle Bay
Marine Park; with a collection of 6 wrecks
all lying in a buoyed off area, it is possible
to see all the wrecks on one guided dive.
Sister ships the Pamir and the Friars Craig
lie in excellent diving locations, one west
the other off Hastings. Both provide
awesome second dives, the Friars Craig
often has a resident turtle and two reefs
nearby and the Pamir has a yellow
submarine adjacent to it, two wrecks for
the price of one! The nearby reef has a
colony of yellowhead jawfish which l think

looks like a fairy as it dances above its’
hole.
Scuba diving in Barbados is a relaxed
hassle free activity for all ages. Dive shops
will pick you up from your hotel (there can
be a small charge for this), kit you out with
dive gear and take you on a guided dive
along a reef pointing out anything of
interest along the way. Children can dive
from as early as 11 years old providing
they are strong enough to carry a scuba
tank. If you just want to have ‘a go’
Discover Scuba courses are also available.
If you are a keen photographer then you
will be happy to know that photographic
opportunities are everywhere on all dives
and snorkel trips. I also offer use of
underwater photographic equipment if you
would like to try and group or private
underwater photography lessons. Contact
me on lucy@scubachannels.com
Perhaps the most exhilarating dive you
can do is with Hightide dive shop, each
week they take a dive to collect turtles

Photo: Lucy Agace

Photo: Lucy Agace

134 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Photo: Lucy Agace

which they bring up to the boat and give a
full health check. If they are not already
tagged then they are given a tag with a
number. Anyone can book onto the dive or
even just wait in the boat and see the
turtle check process onboard, conservation
in action!
Whether you reside in Barbados or are
visiting and need some equipment Hazell’s
Waterworld in Carlisle Bay sells diving and
snorkelling gear and some of the dive
shops also do. For the seasoned diver
there is also Nitrox air, available from a few
dive shops. (Barbados Scuba Divers,
Hightide, GFish, West Side Scuba)
All Barbados dive centres do their best
to enhance environmental awareness and
take part in the coral re-planting program
which is a new project run by CORALL.
They do not indulge in or condone fish
feeding, spear fishing (unless it’s a
Lionfish), riding of marine life or collection
of shells or coral. Lionfish were introduced
to the Caribbean by accident a few years

D

I

V

I

N

G

ago off Florida and because of their ability
to mature at an early age and lay millions
of eggs a year and have a ferocious
appetite for reef fish they now pose an
enormous threat to all the reef stock
throughout the region. Here on Barbados
they are speared without mercy by most
divers and spear fishermen. Once filleted
they provide an excellent meal, in fact
many restaurants on Barbados include the
fish on their menus, it is delicious give it a
try!
Snorkelling
If you are visiting the island for a short
time it is recommended to use one of the
many safari boats, found on any beach, to
aid you. These boats offer 2-3 hour
excursions to the various marine parks or

Photo: Lucy Agace

136 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

to snorkel with turtles. The west coast has
two designated snorkelling areas, both
within the Folkestone Marine Park. One is
situated in a large buoyed-off area in north
Holetown and you can swim out from the
beach here and hire equipment from the
onsite shop.
The second park is situated a short
distance from the beach in Holetown and
most people get there by using the
aforementioned safari boats. This second
park has a small wreck, which has attracted
a wealth of marine life. The whole area is
teaming with fish such as chubs (locals call
them Robins), sergeant majors, damselfish,
chromis and wrasse. At lower levels in the
wreck it is possible to see eels, squirrelfish
and snapper and, on the surrounding reef,
parrotfish, trumpetfish, butterfly fish,

surgeonfish, and smooth trunkfish passing
by on their daily quest for food. Sea fans,
sponges and hard corals of various sizes
can be found here.
The main snorkelling area in the south is
the Carlisle Bay Marine Park wrecks, which
are situated about half way around the bay
and easily accessed from the beach. The
wrecks are at various depths but all easily
visible from the surface and offer
snorkelers a perfect spot to see masses of
fish and sometimes turtles. I have even
spotted eels, seahorses and pipefish on my
way out to the wrecks.
For greater more in-depth information
about the scuba diving in Barbados there
is a detailed book called the Barbados
Dive Guide available at most dive shops or
on Amazon.

BUMPER
MASTERS
The Barbados International Masters Football Festival celebrated their 21st Anniversary with a Bumper
attendance throughout the four day tournament. Traditionally held at Whitsun in early June, the Finals
at Wanderers Dayrells Road have gone from strength to strength with a record attendance.

138 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

139 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

F

O

O

T

B

A

L

L

This is a unique festival
boosting over 800 overseas
visitors who are guaranteed
to enjoy a huge football
party. Centred at
Wanderers clubhouse, the
hallmark of this small
committee is slick
organization and efficiency.
Spearheaded by Chairman
Paul ‘Starsky’ Wright with
staunch support from Grant
‘Doom’ Trebble and the
effervescent Adrian ‘Ockey’
Donovan.

140 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

T

hey form the nucleus on the
committee, but recognize a
host of willing members in
tandem. However, the
Football Festival would be
nowhere without the
involvement of generous sponsors, who
have played big parts including the
principal sponsor Banks Breweries,
Scotiabank and Barbados Tourism
Marketing Inc.
Banks Beer is synonymous with the
Football Festival, and the Brewery has the
statistical records to identify with huge
beer sales at Wanderers! ‘Life Nice’ is the
culture of Banks beer and judging from the
participants during the four days everyone
enjoyed the event and the Banks.
But there is plenty of action surrounding
the Football Festival. Many of the
participants combine the event with beach
activities, catamaran cruises, island safaris,
restaurants, and après nightlife. There is
always something amazing to do in
Barbados! The beauty about the Festival is
that the schedule is adhered to with
clockwork precision and other events can
be planned with confidence.
A recent innovation added by increasing
demand is the over-50 category and it has
been successfully competed during two
tournaments. The Over-50 teams are
based at Carlton in the early stages, with
the Over-40 teams at Wanderers and
Dover. All the semi-finals and finals are
staged at Dayrell’s Road to ensure a
bumper attendance and pumping

atmosphere with loads of food,
refreshments and plentiful Banks beer.
Returning visitors are regular participants,
and it came as no surprise that Vincy
Masters from St Vincent emerged the
winners for the major prize. However,
Wildey United did not give in easily after
pounding the visiting keeper for long
periods. Vincy managed a stalemate and
then defeated Wildey 4-2 in the penalty
shoot-out. One big disappointment was
the penalty miss at first attempt from
Gregory ‘Lalu’ Greenidge, and perhaps it
set the tone for their demise.
In the Over-50 competition that preceded
the main event, Brooklyn Central from USA
and Trinidad X-Men were also locked at 11. It was a thrilling exchange, which was
eventually won by Brooklyn Central 4-3.
Brooklyn finished runners-up in the main
event in 2016 and X-Men were also
runners-up in 2014.
The tournament was concluded with the
presentation of trophies and a rousing
celebrations from the victors. Vincy
Masters were also victorious in 2014 and
2008.
The Barbados International Masters
Football Festival is by Invitation because
there is such a demand and there are
limited places. Some clubs have been
visiting 16 times so it has tested the time
for popularity. If you want to be considered
contact the Chairman of the Festival
Organizing Committee Paul Wright by
email paulwright426@gmail.com or call
(246) 230 3900.

F

O

O

T

B

A

L

L

142 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

H O C K E Y

HOCKEY ON THE RISE!

144 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

WITH A BRAND NEW TURF AND REVAMPED FACILITY - HOCKEY IS MAKING A COMEBACK!
PHOTOS: PETER MARSHALL

145 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

H

O

C

K

E

Y

Mark St. Hill is
president of the
Barbados Hockey
Federation. He’s
proactive and
visionary. He shares
that vision with
Sporting Barbados...
Mark St. Hill (centre) with Veterans Winners

You faced a few challenges when you
were appointed as President. How have
you progressed?
We have a good team in place and we
have set a simple framework that I hope
the present and future Boards can use to
manage hockey going forward. The
objectives of the framework are:
• To ensure the new surface and facility
when operational is always maintained and
its revenue potential realized.
• Encourage increased volunteerism from
the membership within 5 core segments.
• Reduce the number of committees
• Simplification
The 5 core segments are:
• Facilities Management
We have begun transforming the
surroundings via general clean up and
creation of key advertising space for
various sponsors. A number of sponsors
already on board and have assisted us in
allowing National teams to tour and
keeping Barbados Hockey active on the
International stage.
Exciting development in the month of
July as the installation of the new
Astroturf commenced and should be
completed by Aug 1. This is a significant
development and forms the platform for
the re-birth of the sport both on the
domestic and international stage.
146 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

• Youth programs
National Sports Council remains an
integral pillar for the development of
youth programs. We have recently
appointed Mr. Ralph Watson to also
represent the BHF as the Director of the
Youth Program to assist us in further
developing this key core segment.
• Hockey Festivals
The Hockey Festival continues to be the
hallmark event for the BHF and through
collaboration with key agencies such as
the Tourism Development Corporation,
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc and
Barbados Olympic Association we will
now accelerate efforts to re-build the
Festival in 2018.
Other key festivals are currently being
developed such as a Youth Festival
attracting colleges from across the
globe.
• Domestic Leagues and Operations
Management
This is the engine room of the BHF and
its membership.
• Development and Selection of
National Hockey Teams.
Would you agree hockey has set us back
for almost a decade?
I would agree more from the perspective
that we have lost a decade of revenues for
the island and keeping Barbados Hockey
on the international stage along with the
significant reduction in clubs playing

H

O

C

K

E

Y

hockey.
However, the interest remains high and
we are continuously being asked by
international clubs, tour operators and
touring schools when is the Astroturf ready
and I was delighted to share with the news
on your international publication.
“ITS FINALLY HERE”. Thank You Barbados
Olympic Association: Thank You Pan
American Hockey Federation: Thank You
Tourism Development Corporation: Thank
You National Sports Council. As you can
see from the various stakeholders there is a
strong desire to regain loss ground and we
believe in our Hockey product.
A small number of visitors still come to
the Festival, but it is far cry from the
halcyon years. What is your committee
doing to change things?
The interest is there as previously
mentioned and once the Tour Operators
are convinced the turf and the facility is
back we are optimistic through focused

148 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

marketing at key events in the UK and US
the spotlight on Barbados Hockey festival
will return.
Colleges are also been asking us to
stage a Youth festival.
We continue to receive numerous
inquiries and the key ask is whether the
Astroturf is ready.
We are very excited.
The overseas visitors certainly
evaporated in recent times. Have the
numbers also fallen with local clubs?
Because of the inability to stage 11 a side
hockey the numbers have dwindled. With
the return of the turf the interest will
return.
Members have also been calling for a
Masters/Veteran tournament, which signals
the interest, desire and love is there.
There was some criticism about the new
‘Hall of Fame.’ Why did this happen and
what was the criteria?

The criticism unfortunately originated
from outside the hockey membership, who
was not aware of the criteria. The initial
inductees were selected from the period
1958 to 1970 and this was one of the main
criteria given to the independent
committee to ensure these persons who
were instrumental in laying the foundation
for the sport were not overlooked. Some
former hockey stalwarts would not have
been in the period selected.
Going forward we will be inducting two
persons each year and the nominations
must come from a playing club to be
considered by the Board. Persons can be
from any era going forward.
The Hockey Membership was made
aware of the criteria and nominations are
now Open starting 2017.
Thanks Mr. President for sharing your
comprehensive vision for hockey going
forward. Hockey Barbados is in good
hands!

150 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

RUGBY
SOARS
2017 was an action-packed year for rugby in Barbados,
paving the way for an even brighter year to come in 2018.
Regular annual events, increasing numbers of touring
international teams, and a competition fiercer than ever
before continue to ensure rugby here on the island soars to
great new heights, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only set to get even better!
STORY BY AMY GOULDING, PHOTOS BY PETER MARSHALL

151 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

R

U

G

B

Y

Despite being one of
World Rugby’s smallest full
members, Barbados has a
long historical connection
with the game of rugby. In
fact, the island is said to be
the birthplace of rugby in
the Caribbean, where the
sport has been played
since the 1900s thanks to
the British troops who were
stationed here. And, the
historic Garrison Savannah,
a UNESCO World Heritage
site and tourist attraction in
itself, remains the home of
rugby in Barbados to this
very day.

152 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

How it all began
Despite being one of World Rugby’s
smallest full members, Barbados has a
long historical connection with the game
of rugby. In fact, the island is said to be the
birthplace of rugby in the Caribbean,
where the sport has been played since the
1900s thanks to the British troops who
were stationed here. And, the historic
Garrison Savannah, a UNESCO World
Heritage site and tourist attraction in itself,
remains the home of rugby in Barbados to
this very day.
Founded in 1964, the Barbados Rugby
Football Union (BRFU) is the governing
body for the rugby on the island and
performs duties including organising
national team fixtures, training sessions,
domestic rugby activities, and incoming
tours. Since its initial formation, the BRFU
has become a full member of World Rugby
as well as Rugby Americas North (RAN),
and due to the Rugby Sevens debut at the
2016 Rio Olympics, it is now a full member
of the Barbados Olympic Association Inc.
(BOA).
So, it’s fair to say that over the years,
rugby in Barbados has seen a steady
increase in popularity and as the island
continues to be a renowned premier
sporting destination, it attracts between
eight to ten overseas teams per year,
including clubs from the UK, Canada, and
neighbouring Caribbean islands. Touring

rugby teams and clubs are always warmly
welcomed to Barbados and are
guaranteed not only infamous Bajan
hospitality, but also top quality rugby and
competitive matches; the perfect blend of
lively sports action and friendly socialising
for any visitor to our shores!
We’ve come a long way
Rugby in Barbados has come a long way
from just one single team, to today
comprising four men’s clubs teams, and
one senior women’s team. Internationally,
the Barbados National Senior and U-19
Men’s 15s, the Senior Women’s 7s, and
Rugby Barbados 7s teams all strongly and
proudly represent Barbados. Girls and
boys U-17 teams have both also started
entertaining visiting overseas school sides
with 15-a-side, 10-a-side and 7-a-side
matches all played at the Garrison
Savannah.
The World Rugby ‘Get Into Rugby’ (GIR)
Programme is another recent addition to
the local rugby scene and has an active
membership in Barbados who work
tirelessly to expand its reach into local
schools. The Programme introduces over
1000 children each year to the sport and
because of this growth, a newly-formed
GIR Barbados will be soon be responsible
for the management and administration of
the GIR Programme in Barbados. It will
also become an official affiliate of the

R

U

G

B

Y
BRFU; another exciting step forward for
rugby in Barbados.
Impressively, the longest running Club
Rugby 7s Tournament in the Caribbean is
now also held annually in Barbados in
December after being relocated from
Trinidad in 2016. The Rugby Barbados
World 7s Tournament features some of the
best men’s and women’s club teams from
across the globe, with an average of 20
teams now making their way to Barbados
just to compete!

World 7s Tournament on 8—9 December.
Plans are currently underway to increase
the number of participating international
teams in the Rugby Barbados World 7s
Tournament to 40, with the introduction of
an Under-17s category being seriously
considered.
Interested teams can officially register
for the 2018 Tournament from April. For
more Tournament information, follow the
Rugby Barbados World 7s Facebook page,
or visit www.rugbybarbadosworld7s.com.

What does 2018 have in store?

Barbados – a premier sporting
destination

Alongside other annual tournaments and
free weekly games throughout the January
to March domestic rugby season, you may
be lucky enough to be in Barbados when
the BRFU hosts a leg of the RAN Senior
Men’s Championships. Later in the year,
between September and November, the
domestic 7-a-side competition will take
place, followed by the Rugby Barbados

154 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

Barbados is a popular destination
amongst all sporting enthusiasts, and
rugby players and fans are no exception.
Year after year, Barbados continues to be a
destination of choice for touring rugby
teams as well as keen spectators, and it
certainly does not disappoint.
See you in Barbados!

C O M M U N I T Y

Chefette Celebrates 45th
Anniversary through local sports
Chefette Restaurants, an indigenous,
family owned, Barbadian brand, is
celebrating its 45th anniversary by
continuing to heavily support local sports
and athletes in Barbados through various
disciplines such as Motorsports, Track &
Field, Cricket, Football, etc. Chefette’s
marketing strategy is to promote a more
balanced & active lifestyle especially among
the youth through these sponsorships,
Brand Ambassadors and use of its 9 MEGA
multi-storey Playgrounds across Barbados.
Chefette Brand Ambassador, Akela
Jones, is a Barbadian track and field athlete
who holds records in the women's
heptathlon, pentathlon, long jump and high
jump. Akela won gold in the long jump at
the 2014 World Junior Championships and
in 2015, she was NCAA champion in the
heptathlon, and won bronze in the high
jump at the Pan American Games. At the
Olympics held in Brazil in 2016, Jones
placed 20th in the heptathlon, and also
competed in the high jump event.
In another sponsorship collaboration,

Chefette and Tridents Pride of Barbados,
signed up a multiyear partnership of the
T20 franchise, which competes in the
Caribbean Premier League. The partnership
has helped Chefette and the Tridents fan
bases share the passion for the game
through marquee in game events with
iconic Chefette marketing at Kensington
Oval and cricket themed promotions in the
restaurants.
Chefette is also heavily involved in
Motorsport through its popular Speed Team
Drivers (Roger Mayers, Barry Mayers &
Rhett Watson) And is also the official
Restaurant sponsor of the Barbados Rally
Club, the BRC Marshals and Sol Rally
Barbados.
Over the years Chefette has assisted a
number of organizations by providing
prizes, trophies and monetary funds to
students participating in numerous sporting
events locally. Since 2015 Chefette has
been supporting the under 13 Pro-Shottas
Soccer school and Kickstart’s under 13
Football Clubs. Also receiving support

The National Association of Primary Schools’ Athletic Championship (NAPSAC)

156 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

since 2011 is The National Association of
Primary Schools’ Athletic Championship
(NAPSAC). In addition, Chefette also
sponsors the Barbados Island Fit Games
(BIG), the Barbados Federation of Island
Triathletes (BFIT) and the Barbados Surfing
Association.
This year will mark the sixth Anniversary
of the Chefette Fun Run. This fantastic
community event provides Chefette and its
co-sponsors with a golden opportunity to
continue the legacy of the late Dame Olga
Lopes-Seale, the first patron of this event.
Our main goal is to continue to raise funds
which will allow us to make meaningful
donations to selected charities to provide
clothing & meals to the less fortunate kids
in Barbados.
Chefette Restaurants is the largest
Restaurant Chain in Barbados, presently
operating 15 Quick Service Restaurants,
consisting of 14 Pizza Locations, 2 BBQ
Barns (Fast Casual Restaurants), 11 DriveThrus and 9 MEGA Playgrounds.

Chefette Fun Run

Chefetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Managing Director
Ryan Haloute with members of
the Tridents Pride of Barbados

Chefette Brand Ambassador - Akela Jones

Under 13 Pro-Shottas Soccer School

157 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

S Q U A S H

SQUASH FOR ALL

Ladies Finalist Barbados vs Canada

The Barbados Squash Club (BSC) is located
in Marine Gardens, Christ Church and is the
place where fun loving squash players go to
break a sweat on court and to sip a few
beers and talk about their match afterwards.
There are three international (softball)
singles squash courts at the BSC, two of
which are glass-backed and air-conditioned.
The main championship court at the BSC is
one of the best for viewing in the Caribbean
and also has a video camcorder
permanently installed, as well as a wi-fi
camera that delivers high quality live
streaming video feeds to USTREAM during
most of the events held during the year.

10th Anniversary BCQS Jammin 2017 Tournament

158 / SPORTING BARBADOS 2018

The club currently has six experienced,
professional coaches: Karen Meakins, Rhett
Cumberbatch, Lilianna White, Marlon
White, Gavin Cumberbatch and Shawn
Simpson who hold 29 national squash titles
between them so they know their way
around a squash court! With one call to the
club you can arrange coaching sessions with
one of them at times that are convenient to
your busy work schedule and active
lifestyle.
If you are a visitor to these shores and plan
on staying in beautiful Barbados for a while,
you may wish to play in one of the BSC
leagues, ladders or tournaments. Or you

may simply be looking for a game while
you’re here. If so, you can call the club (4277913) and ask for either Tony or Donna and
they will arrange a game for you with a local
player around your own standard.
In 2018 the BCQS Jammin’ Barbados
Squash Masters will run from May 17th
through 20th and the BSC invites you to
take part in this dynamic age group
competition for players in the +35, +45,
+55 and +65 brackets. You can be assured
of an exciting competition, with players
from across the globe competing with
exceptional skill, sportsmanship and
camaraderie. The tournament climaxes with
a Fun Cruise along the beautiful west coast
of the island. It is not to be missed!
Local spectators always enjoy seeing new
overseas players bringing their flair and skill
to these shores. The Masters “winning
spirit” is always evident and overseas
participants always leave with lasting
memories of the warm and genuine Bajan
hospitality exhibited at the Barbados
Squash Club – your home away from
home!!
Meet us at the Barbados Squash Club any
day of the week for some exciting and
vibrant sporting fun. You won’t regret you
did.

When the
conditions
are
unpredictable
you need
a watcch
that isn’t.
900 feet
feet below sea level is no place to
find out that your watch won’t ffunction
uncti
unction
at 900 below sea level.
That’s why ever y Bremont watch is
fit ffo
or
ruthlessly engineered to be fit
purpose. However extreme that
purpose might be.
Anywhere you can go, a Bremont
fur ther.
can go too. And usually fur
Your Bremont is probably tougher
than you are.
The new Supermarine Type 301 has
been hand-built and tested on British
shores, at our headquar ters in
Henley-on-Thames.
Sure, it has its limits, but you’re
ind them.
unlikely to ever ffind